For the busy person who wants to stay connected to God throughout the week!

The other day my daughter was out to lunch with a friend. Arianna, her five-year old daughter, was there as was Ari’s six-week old brother and the friend’s 8 month old. They went to a Chik-Fil-A or a Mickey D’s that had a playground so Ari wouldn’t be too bored by the whole thing. On the way home my daughter thanked Ari for being such a good girl. To which Arianna replied, “My pleasure, Mom!” My daughter had to stifle her laughter at such a response from a 5-year-old.

My pleasure! What a great phrase. How often do you employ this phrase when you engage in your moments with God? So many people see time spent with God or taking time for a Sabbath as a duty, an obligation that has nothing whatsoever to do with pleasure. However, I cannot accept that our time with God and the command to take a Sabbath were meant to be anything but pleasurable.

Imagine, if you will, ending your time with your God with a thank you from God for taking a moment to be together. How would you respond? Would you, like Arianna, simply say, “My pleasure, Lord”? And would it, in fact, be a pleasure?

Pleasure is not an oxymoron in the Christian faith. Joy, comfort, laughter, dance and song are all part of the biblical tradition. The pleasure of our senses, bodies, and souls are all lifted up in the scripture and sometimes vividly…ever read Song of Solomon?

Sabbath was meant to be a day of pleasure. Pleasure in the bounty of the table, the love of God, the blessing of family and friends and the joy of life.

I’m going to spend more time thinking about pleasure in my time with God, relishing the sharing I do with my God, and feeling the pleasure of a relationship that is grounded in love, mercy, grace and forgiveness.

For the sheer pleasure of it I will spend time with my God.

The Lord takes pleasure in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in his honor and sing for joy on their beds. Psalm 149.4-5